Easter in Pictures. Very bad pictures....

For the Earth and the People In It!

It's no secret that Carl and I are trying to do things to better our world. We have a LONG way to go before we become totally "green" people but that doesn't stop us from taking steps towards "greener" pasture. Now we are going to be taking those steps in something stylishly green (i love making up new words to my husband's dismay) and not to mention a GREAT cause.

We are now each owners of a pair of Tom's.

And now so are 2 other children.

Check out our shoes and then check out Tom's site!


I know they are cute, right? Sport some Tom's this summer!

Pray for Stellan

Stellan needs your prayers. This has become my favorite blog for a few months now! Mck Mama and Prince Charming had thier 4 child about 4 months ago (Stellan) who was born healed of the SVT that ailed his body inutero. It seems the SVT has reared it's ugly head. Check out her blog and pray!

BUMP: What I Miss....

Today marks year 5 without her.




Nini,

Can you believe it’s been four years since you left this world for a place much better? I can’t believe it. In fact I believe it less today than four years ago. It’s funny how grief works itself out. It’s the most random things that really make me wish you were still here and that wish is growing instead of fading. I feel like I have to remember and that I am grateful that I have so much to remember.

The Raccoon Soap Dish
The smell of Violets
Your Vanity
Cotton White Hair
Opening Christmas presents in the front room at 7 Park Place.
White Pepper
“Oh Gad”
Nail polish on the Lazy Susan at the kitchen table.
The way you pulled me toward you while we would nap on your bed
Randy Gnome
The powder in the yellow container
Pecan and Chocolate Pie
SHOES! (Your gold, silver and bronze sneakers)
Braums Milk
The maddest you ever got at Evan and me.
Saturdays in Richardson while Mom was with Mr. Huddleston
The smell of leather seats, cigarettes and Kleenex in a hot summer car
Piano music
Your handwriting
Your letters that always mentioned the weather
Shopping trips and lunch at Christina’s
Calling you to take me to school because a pumpkin was thrown through the windshield of my car. Did you know Mom was upset that I called you? She didn’t want me to worry you.
You calling Carl a big Teddy Bear
Abuelo’s
The way you and Lucky had matching hair color and moles
farting dining room chairs
spoons
Listening to Chipmunks Christmas on the record player
Coffee mugs with birds and lipstick stains.

There really is so much more. I just can’t think of them right now. That scares me. Sometimes the memories just come to me. Most of the time I smell something like coffee or violets and it takes me back. Funny enough I usually go back to the Richardson house. I don’t know why. The last time I was with Tyler and Rachel was the first time I realized they didn’t even know the Richardson house! I told them all about it. I told them how much fun Evan and I would have exploring the upper floor and going through Lisa’s things while she was away at college. I just bought Caress body wash and it’s the weirdest thing, every time I use it I feel like I am in the upstairs bathroom staring at that silly raccoon soap dish. I have no idea the connection, but I like it.

By the way, it’s unusually warm and sunny today. In fact I walked to lunch.

Love Always,
KD

Goals for 2009:It's Not Easy Being Green

Baby steps.  

All I can say is we have taken baby steps in our 2009 goal to go green. Surprisingly Carl is actually game with the changes so far.  Going green is a fairly new passion of mine.  While I grew up in a house that recycled I was known to still throw cans in the trash out of total laziness.  My mom was "Green" before it was so popular!  We grew up using vinegar and water as our cleaning supplies.    That being said it was only when my friend Kelly went through her pregnancy that I discovered the cloth diaper comeback.  It made me curious about what I could do to help the Earth before I have children.

Green before 2009

Carl and I were doing things that are considered "green" before we had a conscious effort in our "green" pursuit.

1.  Use dishes instead of paper plates

2.  Use fans before the AC.  Blankets before the Heat.

3.  Use our dishwasher (people are surprised to learn that it's more green than hand washing)

4.  Buy Organic (unfortunately we don't buy as much as we would like)

5.  Pack our Lunches (this is really more because of lack of cash)

6.  Wash a full load of laundry with cold water and clean out the lint trap after each wash.

7.  Buy less STUFF (again lack of extra money helps)

8.  Recycle cans

9.  Use Water Filter pitcher. (we have only bought one pack of bottled water in our marriage and it was to prepare for Hurricane Ike.  Even then I recycled our milk jugs for non drinking water.)

2009 

Carl and I have achieved quite a few of these goals.  Some are yet to be!  

1.  Cloth no more paper towels.

2.  Buy local produce

3.  Replace lights with CFL lighting

4.  Put certain outlets on a timer (to slay Vampire energy)

5.  Start buying organic and making organic cleaners for the house

6.  Replace our doors

7.  Join a CSA

8.  Buy Cage Free Eggs

9.  Use glass instead of plastic food storage.

10.  Buy Bamboo linens

11.  Have a garage sale!

12.  Hang laundry

The Future Still

There are TONS more that Carl and I want to do in our future but here are the top 5 for years to come.  

1.  Cloth diapers....I know right!  Have your negative remarks!  I am going to do it.  (Carl's apprehensive about it but I asked him if he was REALLY even going to change disposable!)

2.  Homemade Baby Food.  Yep.  That too!  I have a huge desire to do these things for our babies who are merely "twinkles in our eyes" right now!  

3.   Buy Hybrid (this is a while into the future....like babies will probably come first)

4.  Build a "Green" home.

5.  Garden

It's Not Easy Being Green

There are a few things I am not ready to give up yet!  Maybe someday but for now I will try and use restraint!

1.  Decorative napkins (I have an obsession with cute napkins)

2.  Ziploc (sometimes easy wins)

3.  Buy New.  (There are just somethings I cannot buy as a hand me down)

4.  Disposable Tampons (come on now!  Did you think I was THAT crunchy)

5.  Holiday paper plates (it's a weakness)

6.  Using the dryer as a fluffer.  (OOPS.  I can't help it.)

7.  I know there are more and I put them here just in case someone catches me being not so earth friendly!

Interested?

Check out The Little Green Book: 365 Ways to Love the Planet by Joseph R. Provey and Owen Lockwood.  Better yet, check it out of the Library!  It's better for the Earth!

 

Beautiful Baby

I entered Andrew into the Regis and Kelly Beautiful Baby Contest with the help of his mom Kelly! Andrew wasn't very patient but we got some good shots!

Runner Up: Shows how sometimes his hair is RED!

Funny expression.

2nd Place: My personal favorite! But it cuts off his head.

THE WINNER: Beautiful Baby!

Do you think he will win?

Bites Heal

Andrew screamed through the Super Bowl last night. It may be an ear infection. I felt so bad for him AND his parents. I got to leave. They didn't.


I can wait a little longer before having a kid of my own.


Thank you Andrew for reminding me!





SIDE NOTE: Andrew was asleep when I left....I just hope he stayed that way!